b"Top Left: Island Grown Schools brings garden-based learning, healthy, locally grown food, and hands-on farm experiences to almost every school-aged child in our community. (Courtesy photo)Above: IGI farm field crew harvesting fresh produce. (Courtesy photo)Below Left: Rebecca Hag and Merrick Carreiro showing the plans for the new site redevelopment. (Photo courtesy Jeanna Sheppard)$1,000,000 CAPACITY-BUILDING GRANT FOR ISLAND GROWN INITIATIVES NEW ISLAND FOOD CENTERAccording to Rebecca Haag, executive director of Island Grown Initiative, food insecurity among working residents of Marthas Vineyard was unprecedented in 2023. From 742 unique food pantry visits a month in 2019, the number has climbed to 2,000 a month. Were seeing professional workersnurses, social workers, teacherspeople who just cant make it from paycheck to paycheck, coming in to make sure they have food for their families and themselves. These are working people, working families. Theyre contributing to the Island. All of us survive here because [of them.]To meet the growing need, Island Grown Initiative was awarded a$1 million grant to construct the Island Food Center. The new building not only gives the Island Food Pantry a permanent location, but also provides appropriate warehouse and office space for local organizations working in food insecurity. In the 24 years Ive worked for Martha's Vineyard Bank, the Banks commitment to the community has grown by leaps and bounds. Ive volunteered at many nonprofits on and off the Island, which the Bank promotes by giving employees eight paid hours, during work time, to volunteer for the charity of their choice. It is amazing how Martha's Vineyard Bank and its employees can show their care for their communities through this good work! Brooke Raymond, Lending Processor17"